The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-09
THE PASTORS INSTITUTE.

We are informed by the committee
that favorable responses have been re-
ceived from about forty of our West
ern pastors with reference to attend
ance at the Institute, which begins it's
sessions next week, Tuesday, at the
Church of the Redeemer, in this city.
There is no doubt that this number
will be largely increased during the
present week, and that we may expect
an encouraging attendance at the be-
ginning and all through the sessions of
the Institute.
We trust that the officers of our
churches will interest themselves in the
Institute, to the extent at least, of see-
ing that the way is made plain for the
pastors to attend. The committee have
requested that the churches, generally
give Sunday, April II, to their pastors
in order to enable them to attend the
entire sessions of the Institute. II this
plan is not generally adopted, and the
ministers allowed respite from preach
ing duty on that day, the result will be
unfavorable to the Institute. The
ministers cannot attend the Institute
and prepare for Sunday services at the
same time. And apart from this con-
sideration of preparation, the necessity
of travel to their several homes to
preach on Sunday, would require the
majority of the pastors to leave on Fri
day, and when they once go home they
are not likely to return for the Insti-
tute work of the following week, Mon.
day and Tuesday.
To make the work of the Institute
efficient and valuable, requires that the
sessions be attended throughout. The
program, as arranged by the committee,
is orderly and successive in the topics
which are to be presented. No pastor
attending portion of the time will Sc
cure the full benefit of the Institute.
He will secure only fragmentary por-
ton Of the instruction, and will miss
the daily drill in elocution and pulpit
manner, and the criticism, which it is
part of the purpose of the Institute to
present. The whole scheme contem-
plates attendance at all the sessions for
the largest benefit to be realized, AS our
churches are interested in this matter
equally with pastors, it is hoped that
ministers will be encouraged to spend
the entire eight days in Chicago, and
thus help to make the Institute sue
cess from the beginning to the end.
The hospitality of our churches in
Chicago is rendered to all our pastors.
There will be nothing lacking in this
respect. Pleasant homes will be as
signed to all who come prepared to
spend the Institute days in Chicago.
The plan Of last year will be followed
A collation. will be served at noon in
the vestry of the church, and the even
ing will be given up to the public SER
flSOo. l. ilO AAOlilh5 anu RlSULhUpIi w III
be devoted to Institute work
The present week should bring in
more notifications of attendance. It is
hoped that the full number of last year
will be reached; and with cooperation
on the part of the churches, in the direc-
ton suggested in this article, the attend
ance may be increased over last year.
We urge our pastors not to forego the
opportunity which this Institute affords
for instruction in theology, philosophy,
and the best methods of church ad-
ministration, and to come next week to
Chicago prepared to spend the eight
days in study and work. 1t will be
time well spent and never regretted.
Brethren in all parts OF the West, serve
the notice of your proposed attendance,
and Chicago will do its part to make
your stay pleasant and profitable.